The hard throwing right handed reliever has made a huge jump in the organization.
The Philadelphia Phillies have called up their No. 7 prospect Orion Kerkering from Triple-A Lehigh Valley today. Once he makes his debut, Kerkering will have pitched at nearly every level of the Phillies’ organization this season. He began the 2023 season in Low-A Clearwater and dominated in his 10 1/3 innings as he struck out 18 hitters in that span.
In May, the right-handed reliever was promoted to High-A Jersey Shore. At that level, Kerkering posted a 1.77 ERA over 20 1/3 innings and continued to strike out more than a batter per inning. By July, the Phillies had seen enough from Kerkering to promote him to Double-A Reading.
As he rose to new levels, hitters began to hit the ball a bit better against Kerkering. He still put up solid numbers in his two months at Reading. In 22 innings pitched, he struck out 33 hitters, posted a 2.05 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. That was good enough for the organization to move him to Triple-A Lehigh Valley for the end of their season. He only threw one inning; however, it was scoreless. While he did allow two hits, he did not allow any baserunners to cross the plate.
Over four levels on Minor League Baseball, Kerkering posted some impressive numbers. The righty posted a 1.51 ERA in 53 2/3 innings. He struck out 79 opposing hitters and yielded a 0.89 WHIP.
At 22 years old, Kerkering comes to the Major Leagues at a relatively young age. He boasts a fastball that can reach triple digits and a devastating slider to compliment the heater. The Phillies will see what he has at the Major League level as they attempt to keep some of their bullpen options healthy and rested as they embark on the final stretch prior to the start of the postseason.
There is a strong chance that Kerkering will find himself in the mix for a bullpen job on the big-league club next spring. He will have his first audition for that role sooner than maybe anyone could have planned.
